Indian students in Britain decreasing: Minister

New Delhi: The withdrawal of post-study work visa has led to a decrease in the number of India students studying in Britain, Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh said on Wednesday.

“The number of Indian students enrolled in UK universities was 39,090 in 2010-11, 29,900 in 2011-12, 22,385 in 2012-13 and 19,750 in 2013-14, according to data published by UK Higher Education Statistics Agency,” Singh said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

“Withdrawal of the post-study work visa facility for students is one of the reasons to adversely affect the number of Indian students aspiring to study in the UK,” he said.

The minister said this issue was raised consistently by India in bilateral discussions with Britain.

“The UK side has acknowledged a decline in Indian students going to study to that country. They said there is no cap on Indian students going to study in the UK and that they in fact welcome Indian students to the United Kingdom,” he added.